General Notes

[coosa1.ged]
John Thomas and family were turned out of the Baptist Church in Poplar
Springs approximately 1881, (around the time of James Emanuelberts
death). One reason was an argument over the cotton gin.  John Thomas ran
it on Sunday's.
The one stand cotton gin was run by 4 1/2 horse steam engine.  45 saw
gin.  Press was operated by horse, similar to syrup mill.  This was in
the 1890's.  Cotton left saws and the lint went into a room and was
carried from there to the press in a basket.  It took all day to bale 1
bale of cotton.
The cotton gin was at the Miller homeplace in Bentlyville, AL.  The gin
was near a well which was near the house.  Water drawn from the well had
to be carried to the gin for the boiler.  When the gin was torn down the
lumber was used to build the horse barn.
Family worked very hard and was considered wealthy.  They had the first
cars in the community. Periodically went to Atlanta to serve on Federal
Jury.
"Mrs. Miller, the wife of Thomas Miller and his son Vesta, are both
confined to their bed with an attack of Lagripe. Dr. Tines is attending
them and reports that they are not dangerously ill now." (1)
"From Our Correspondents
Flint Hill News
Mr. and Mrs. J. T. McEwen of near Rockford were the guests of Mr. and
Mrs. J. T. Miller last Sunday."(2)
(1)The Chronicle, Flint Hill News, 22 Jan 1909, p. 5.  Published in
Rockford, Coosa Co., AL. Microfilm: Located in the Alabama Archives and
History, Montgomery, AL.
(2) The Chronicle, Flint Hill News, 16 Jul 1909, p. 5.
"By 1895, there were two well-established commercials centers; one at
Bentleyville was operated by J. T. Miller and comprised a store, post
office, mill and gin.  Another center, know as Corley's Store, near Flint
Hill Church, soon became a key factor in the life of the Community.  This
outstanding country store, in later years, included a gin, mill, and
large blacksmith shop and drew customers from all over the territory
included in our discussion." (1)
(1)The Story of Flint Hill of Times Past and Present  by John D.
Samuels, Jan. 1969, page 3. This is a pamphlet that was printed and
distributed at Flint Hill Methodist Church, Coosa Co., AL.
"Mention has been made that there were two commercial centers in the
Flint Hill Territory.  One of these was old Bentleyville, where the post
office, as well as a store, mill, and gin were located.  The postmistress
of Bentleyville was Mrs. J. T. Miller or 'Miss Mary Miller' as she was
sometimes called.  Mrs. Miller was a very energetic and intellectual lady
and was a rare business woman.  The writer would place her very high up
on the list when it came to efficiency and ability to get things done.
Mr. Tom Miller likewise handled things with unusual skill and dispatch.
His mill, gin, and plantation were all conducted in a skillful manner. He
and 'Miss Mary' really made a fine team.  Added to what we have said,
they reared one of the finest families to be found anywhere.  Mr. Miller
operated in addition to the mill, gin, and store one of the most up to
date farms in the county.  The thing most remembered about his farm is
that it was a well-balanced farm.  On one six-acre piece of land he grew
a bale of cotton per acre for a period of forty years.  His cattle,
mules, and horses were always well kept.  No doubt, part of this provided
cottonseed and corn, so that usually there were sizeable numbers of fat
cattle and hogs.  The gin and mill were powered by a large millpond.  It
was always a rich experience to go to the mill to watch the corn ground
into meal and to see the cotton being put through the gin.
The Bentleyville post office was also a place of interest.  Mail for
a long time was brought from Rockford by horseback riders.  The mail came
from Rockford on Mondays and Fridays and on to Talladega Springs.  The
rider returned on Tuesdays and Saturdays.  The store served the Community
for a long